National Police Commissioner General Kehla Sitole says reports on the imminent arrest of Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) head, Robbert McBride are premature, as investigations against him are still underway.
Ipid says they are aware of reports that McBride will be arrested this week.
Commissioner Sitole was responding to reports of McBride’s imminent arrest during a media briefing in Rustenburg in the North West.
Sitole says he is aware of the case against McBride.
However, he would not comment on his arrest at this stage.
“All we are aware is that there’s investigations, but police have not pronounced any imminent arrests of McBride. There is a case. That case is still under investigations. But whether there’s any arrests, that I do not know. I spoke to McBride personally on this.”
Ipid Spokesperson Moses Dlamini says they are aware of the reports. He believes police are drumming up charges against McBride in retaliation to charges against former Acting Police Commissioner, Kgomotso Phahlane.
Phahlane, his wife and a businessman were charged with corruption and appeared before the Specialised Commercial Crime Court in Pretoria.
Phahlane was allegedly given vehicles as kickbacks after awarding tenders amounting to R5 billion to the businessman.
Dlamini says police want to protect Phahlane by charging McBride.
Police Minister Fikile Mbalula says they want to handle the matter as professionals.
“So, on my part, I have always supported that Ipid must investigate and do its job without fear or favour. In that particular regard, he got our support. There is never been conflict in the context of his job. He reports to me. I know what he is doing. Should other matters arise in the context of his job, they will be held professionally.”
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